Happy Christmas!

Well, we are definately sold on this Santa guy. Not only did he bring us more presents than there was time in the day to open, but he brought in family to share it with. And really, isn't that what the holidays are all about?

We had a full house indeed. First our cousins Tara and Drew came to visit. It had been a year since we had seen them last so we kind of forgot who they were at first. But it didn't take long for to get cuddly. Cousin Tara is really great with kids and Cousin Drew is a real softy for being such a big guy. It seems to be a tradition when we're together to go bowling and we got to try a few times. Poor Grammy though, while holding Lucy, stepped to far onto the slippery part of the lane and fell. She hit her head really hard and hurt her thumb (since it was still in the ball) but did not drop Lucy. What a rock star. She was really sore for a few days and needed boo-boo bunny a lot.

Next to arrive were Aunt Steph and Uncle Philip who flew in from New Zealand. We were a stopping point along a leg of their world tour (Tanzania, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Australia). We felt pretty special that they stopped through the US to spend Christmas with us. Especially because it meant that Uncle Philip was away from his family. Since they were on a time zone 17 hours ahead of us, it was really hard for them to wake up in the mornings so they reckoned a little L&L wake-up call would help. So in the mornings Mommy would send us down to their room and we would jump on their bed until they got up. It was soooo much fun. Except one morning, after the novelty wore off, when Aunt Steph really didn't want to get up, Uncle Philip brought us back upstairs -- hee hee. They've headed back to England now for Aunt Steph's graduation (Master's) before heading off to South America. We're going to travel the world like that too - on a 'boowa and pink awa-pane up high in sky' - when we get a little older.

Nanny and Grandad had some really bad weather to contend with as their flights over from the UK kept getting canceled. So we had to wait a couple of days before we could finally see them. It turned out ok though because they got upgraded to first class for their troubles. Nice. We had so much fun kissing them. We think they have narcolepsy because they kept telling us NOT to kiss them while they were sleeping and would proceed to fall asleep right there. Well of course when we hear the word, 'NOT' that means we SHOULD so everytime they'd fall asleep - at the table, in the car, on the couch - wherever - we'd climb up on them and give loads of kisses. And then they'd wake up suddenly and scold and tickle us! They're so funny.

Aunt Neannie and Uncle Bob, like Nanny and Grandad, had a hard time getting their flight out of LA but for a different reason: they missed it! We won't go into the details and tattle on Aunt Neannie, but it actually took the same amount of time to get here as from England. No fun. But they arrived in good spirits and ready to celebrate.

Aunt Candi and Uncle Mike are hard core. Not only did they come over on Christmas Eve (with Aunt Sherrie and her mom, Sue) and stay up late playing Catch Phrase (which we missed because we were in bed), they were here, at the house by 7am to watch us open presents. And let us tell you, we were opening presents ALL DAY!!!

We were so excited to leave cookies and milk (and beer*) for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer at the fireplace. Had the day finally arrived? We rushed to bed and when we woke up in the morning there were presents everywhere and the cookies and carrots (and milk and beer) were gone! He REALLY came! We must have been good this year.

Aunt Sherrie (and her mom Sue) cooked up a storm and bravely invited us all over for Boxing Day dinner. She had so much yummy food. There were even cookies out for anyone to touch! And Lucy took the liberty of licking evey single cookie (when Mommy wasn't looking). We were really hyper to be in a new place and were running around like we owned it. We even played in Bentley's cage which gave Mommy an idea... :)

Grammy and Papa did so much to make eveything just right for everyone. They were so gracious and their generiousity neverending. They played a significant part in making our third Christmas spectacular and Mommy really appreciates all they do for us. Then they took off for Arizona! xxx

We did so many wonderful things it would take to much time to write about it. So, once again Mommy has put together a little slide show which illustrates just how much fun we had.

Thanks again everyone for a wonderful Christmas!

http://picasaweb.google.com/nksnaith/Movies#5424420945536753650

* it's a Snaith tradition but Mommy thinks Santa much prefers lattes from Starbucks.